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“Plus we have Rashford, Jones and Lukaku because they gave to the group and to the team three days of their holidays, so they're coming back three days early to try and be available for the team.

“And with the fantastic spirit we have in the majority of the players, I repeat: in the majority of the players, we have a fantastic spirit, we go with everything we have to go to the Premier League.

“Alexis Sanchez is fresh, the way the man is running, I think he is in fantastic condition so let's look at it from a positive side and wait for Lindelof, Rashford, Lukaku and Jones.

“They're not prepared, but they will be back and that's the spirit we need, because our first two or three weeks in the Premier League are going to be really hard for us because we didn't prepare for that.”

Martial started United's early tour matches before leaving (Image: Getty)

Meanwhile, Mourinho has refused to give Anthony Martial assurances about his Manchester United future.

Martial left United's US tour midway through to attend the birth of his second child, but angered Mourinho by not rejoining the squad for the final two games.

After United ended their US tour with a 2-1 win over reigning European champions Real Madrid, Mourinho was asked if Martial would be leaving.

Mourinho fudged that question, saying: “Anthony Martial is better for Karen [press officer] to answer if she wants to answer.”

The United boss was asked again if Martial would be part of his squad upon their return to Manchester and would only say: “I don't know.”